Digital Programs and Initiatives

About Digital Programs and Initiatives

Digital Programs and
Initiatives’ primary function is as a data manager and business analyst,
developing, in collaboration and communication with other UMD Libraries
divisions, plans and roadmaps for digital initiatives within the UMD Libraries.
Once Library-wide decisions are made on priorities relating to digital
initiatives, Digital Programs and Initiatives will launch and manage projects to
ensure that those priorities are realized.

Digital Platforms and Projects

Digital Programs and Initiatives
is the primary owner of the UMD Libraries' DSpace
(DRUM), Fedora
(Digital Collections)
and Open Journal
Systems platforms. Working closely with colleagues in
Software Systems Development and Research, we gather
requirements, communicate change needs, recommend enhancements, and identify
bugs. Digital Programs and Initiatives actively participates in and often
manages digital projects throughout their lifecycles.
Digital Programs and Initiatives guarantees certain custodial responsibilities
for the products of digital projects, such as backup and archiving of files,
acceptable system “up-time,” and migration of content to new servers or
applications as appropriate.

Collaboration

Digital Programs and
Initiatives collaborates with stakeholders throughout the UMD Libraries in order
to turn a project into a reality. Most digital projects require coordination
between other units within the Digital Systems and Stewardship Division,
including Digital Conversion and Media Reformatting, Software Systems
Development and Research, and User and Systems Support. In addition, Digital
Programs and Initiatives maintains a close relationship with the
Maryland Institute for Technology in the
Humanities (MITH).